A very special guest visited Coláiste Baile Chláir today when Seamus O’Connell, one of our native speakers, presented students with prizes from a writing competition which the school ran in partnership with Gaeltacht an Eachréidh for Seachtain na Gaeilge.

Pupils from first and fifth year came together to hear Seamus speak about what it was like to grow up in an Irish-speaking household in Claregalway in the 1950s, and the changes in attitudes he has seen to the Irish language over the years. People are much more proud of our native language now than when he was young, he told them.

The fifth year students wrote their essays after viewing an interview which Gaeltacht an Eachréidh recorded with Seamus last year for your Native Speakers Project: https://youtu.be/_jEH4Hk2Nig

Congratulations to Lucy Hounkponou (€50) and Abbi McGrath (€25) from fifth year, and first year students Ashlyn Keating (€50) and Isobel Carroll (€25) who were presented with All 4 One vouchers sponsored by Gaeltacht an Eachréidh.

Thanks to Múinteoir Joe for inviting us back to school!